Ugly Drum Smoker

I use a heater meater with a variable air damper.

simply put, if the temp is too low it opens the air damper and starts closing it off as temps get closer to desired. when it gets to temp it closes. when temps start dropping it starts opening.

pretty nice system but costly at approx. $150

Edit: https://youtu.be/OKhO0LJJYxw
This is what I use. It can also have a fan but I don't use a fan. As of last night I got the macro damper which has 4 sq inches of intake that way I can take it to 500+ degrees using just the damper if I want
 
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Czarbecue said:
The Hunsaker foot lever is the best I have seen. Discreet and not affected by the wind since it’s under the drum.
Click to expand...

I like that idea also mainly because it's not greatly affected by wind just have to figure a way to diy with no welder.

I found this while browsing and is exactly what I had in mind.
 
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I don't know why I thought it would be more expensive. Even today the wind is around 15mph so the hunsaker is probably my best bet.
 
Hinds15 said:
I like that idea also mainly because it's not greatly affected by wind just have to figure a way to diy with no welder.

I found this while browsing and is exactly what I had in mind.
Click to expand...

This is basically what the the big poppa kit comes with. one on each side for 8 holes total.
 
I know for a lot of people on here their name is mud, but that new 18" Barrel House Cooker also has an intake located all the way on the bottom of the barrel. It slides (rather than rotating like the hunsaker). It seemed like a pretty smart design.
 
Blue Kettle said:
I know for a lot of people on here their name is mud, but that new 18" Barrel House Cooker also has an intake located all the way on the bottom of the barrel. It slides (rather than rotating like the hunsaker). It seemed like a pretty smart design.
Click to expand...

there are thousands of uds with the intake on the side and they have no problems.

also, for those of us who cook direct over the coals the intake on the bottom is a direct path for drippings to get on the floor below the cooker.

Its not a bad design but I'll pass.

As Dadsr4 suggested, 4 or 5 holes covered with magnets is as simple and as easy as it can get.
 
Any down sides to using the drum upside down. My Weber lid fit the bottom a little snug but it fits. Drum is unlined and was used once for coconut oil
 
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Hinds15 said:
Any down sides to using the drum upside down. My Weber lid fit the bottom a little snug but it fits. Drum is unlined and was used once for coconut oil
Click to expand...


mine is upside down and it makes it a heck of a lot easier to clean.also, when the lid rusts I can just replace a lid instead of a whole drum.

potential downside -its only happened once- i was cooking direct and I guess the food was not directly over the coals. the fat dripped down and I saw some coming out the bottom of the drum.
 
I was thinking about it not sealing good because the plastic/foam gasket needs to come out. Lowes has some silicone door and window gasket that's good up to 400 degrees. A strip or 2 of that may help seal it up or just some good old high temp rtv.
 
Hinds15 said:
I was thinking about it not sealing good because the plastic/foam gasket needs to come out. Lowes has some silicone door and window gasket that's good up to 400 degrees. A strip or 2 of that may help seal it up or just some good old high temp rtv.
Click to expand...

do you mean sealed from air getting in, or from liquid getting out.

I havent had a problem with air. I can close all my vents and the fire dies in short order.
 
Just the grease from food. I have some weber legs left from another build and wondering if I can make them work.

Edit: just the axle and wheels
 
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oh yeah.

Had the macro damper printed for my heater meter. this thing is massive. Im not even sure how Im going to attach it to the uds as it has a 3" outlet.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgzM0iZ-IUM

CW6AubF.jpg
 
Why is it you seldom see food grade 30 gallon drums? I want to do build a UDS but I really think 55 gallon might be overkill for my situation.
 
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